A WW2 veteran whose medals were ripped from his chest by a mugger while paying his respects at his local cenotaph has had them replaced.
96-year-old Jim Marland – a former Private, who served with the Durham Light Infantry Brigade – was at Rochdale Cenotaph prior to Remembrance Day when he was sadly pushed to the ground and robbed of his war medals and other personal belongings.
It was a couple of days before the shaken former soldier felt able to tell his family about the shocking incident – but, after a serving soldier came across the heartbreaking tale on social media, Mr Marland has now received replacements of his original medals during a surprise presentation at Rochdale football club.
Mr Marland received the replacement medals on the pitch at half-time of Rochdale A.F.C’s League Two match with Stevenage.
The veteran also received a guard of honour, while the crowd applauded his entrance.
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The stolen medals included the 1939/45 War Star for active service during the Second World War, the France/Germany Star, the Defence Medal earned for service in the UK which was under attack, and the 1939/45 War Medal, also known as the Victory Medal.
Mr Marland received the replacement medals on the pitch at half-time of Rochdale A.F.C’s League Two match with Stevenage / Credit: British Army / Ministry of DefenceThe veteran also received a guard of honour, while the crowd applauded his entrance / Credit: British Army / Ministry of Defence
Major Linehan explained: “I’m a military historian and a couple of weeks ago, while on a battlefield study in Sicily, I was on Facebook and spotted a re-post from a friend Steve Shires, who I served with in Northern Ireland, saying a veteran had been pushed over and had his medals stolen.
“I immediately said I would replace them from my stock.”
Major Linehan travelled five and a half hours from Kent to make the presentation, and even got to chat with Jim prior to the presenting the replica medals.
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Speaking after the surprise presentation of the medals, Jim Marland said: “It was a surprise and I want to thank everyone that’s been so nice to me,” and even jokingly added: “If I’d known I was coming to this, I’d have out another row of medals on.”
A REME reservist sprung to the aid of a 96-year-old WW2 veteran who was mugged of his medals.
A replacement set was presented to Jim Marland at half time at @officiallydale last night.
As well as the medals, 103 REME also provided a replacement beret with an original WW2 cap badge worn by a relative of ex-Corporal Buckley (Royal Engineers) and an original WW1 cap badge worn by a Great Uncle of Flight Lieutenant Martin, who served with Major Linehan.
“The big Army family got together to produce this award and it was a wonderful privilege to give back to someone who gave so much for all of us,” Major Linehan added.
Featured Image – British Army / Ministry of Defence
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New interactive map shows where to find 500+ Manchester venues with air conditioning
Emily Sergeant
Do you feel that? Yeah… it’s getting warmer outside.
After all, it is only early July, so we can’t be expecting that the only heatwave (or so to speak) we’re going to get this year has already been and gone, can we? It stands to reason that the sun would grace Greater Manchester with its presence once again before this season’s out – and according to the Met Office, that time has come.
The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising for the next couple of weeks, but if that’s not really your bag, then luckily someone has made a new interactive map that shows where all of the bars and restaurants that have air conditioning are in the city.
There are more than 280,000 pubs, cafes, restaurants, and bars in England and Wales, but only around 8,000 (3%) of them are confirmed to have air conditioning.
The good news, though, is that around 500 of them are in Manchester, and thanks to Where’s Cool, we now know where they are.
A new interactive map shows where to find the 500+ Manchester venues with air conditioning / Credit: Where’s Cool | MCC
Founded by Thomas Chivers, Where’s Cool has been created by a combination of thorough research of Food Standards Agency and public MHCLG Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data, as well as public contributions.
So, where a venue’s EPC says it has ‘cooling’, it gets marked as confirmed on the map, and then it’s up to the public to fill in the gaps by simply telling Where’s Cool whether a place has AC or not, and eventually, once a few people agree, the map updates.
“I created this Map in May in the middle of the first heatwave,” explained creator Thomas Chivers.
“I’m really glad I did, because we’re now somehow on our third and it’s only July. I needed to find somewhere cool to work because my flat was far too hot to work in.
“For those of us, like me, who work from home without aircon, it’s become a necessity to know where we can go with our laptops when the temperature starts to creep above the 30 degree mark. Hopefully the Where’s Cool map can be useful in helping others find a place to go and cool off, as well as helping out the hospitality venues who can always do with the customers.”
You can see which Manchester venues have air conditioning on Where’s Cool here.
Featured Image – Eric Anderson (via Unsplash)
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Prime Minister set to announce extra bank holiday if England win the 2026 World Cup
Danny Jones
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly set to announce an extra bank holiday if England win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What a way to sign off from the highest office in Great Britain, eh?
According to Sky News journalist Beth Rigby, the outgoing PM is expected to reveal an extended period of celebration across the country if/should/WHEN (you’ve got to believe) the Three Lions reach this year’s World Cup final and lift the biggest prize in global sport.
Starmer may be gearing up to leave No. 10 Downing Street soon, but he can certainly earn himself a few more points in the pros column should this familiar rumour come to fruition.
The PM is planning to announce a bank holiday if England win the World Cup. Final is the day before handover of power day on July 20. PM expected to confirm bank holiday if England reach the final, with the likely date set to be July 24. Dare to dream!
As Rigby states in her post on X, this decision would fall just before the transition in leadership, with Greater Manchester’s own Mayor Andy Burnham all but confirmed at the head of the table already within the Labour Party cabinet.
Regarding the still only potential bank holiday – Thomas Tuchel’s side still need to make it through the quarter-final and the semis, remember – the Sky reporter states that the following Friday, 24 July, is the most likely date.
Understandably, plenty on social media are already rejoicing over the prospect, but some aren’t content with waiting a week to carry on the post-trophy lift party, with many arguing that it should be the Monday morning immediately after the final next Sunday (19/2/2026).
Let’s be honest, there’ll be lots of people pulling sickies regardless of whether or not their bosses are left to grant a day off.
Many have already rightly argued that such decisions should have been made in the past after the Lionesses won not just one but two back-to-back European Championships; we’re willing to forgive and move on if the powers that be make it happen this time.
Starmer recently said that despite always believing England will “go all the way”, he didn’t want to jinx anything, simply telling the BBC’s Chris Mason: “Ask me again if we make the final.”
Either way, the general jubilation should England end 60 ‘years of hurt’ will be nothing short of colossal, and it would only feel right given the sheer gravity of the would-be achievement.
We’re even getting excited merely by the idea of some additional and, at present, strictly hypothetical pre- and post-match entertainment…
Emily Sergeant -
25th November 2021 
